A trip to Frome

On Thursday I woke to rain.  This was in the forecast so not a surprise.  Leisurely morning and then when the rain stopped I ventured out.  My intention was to catch the bus to a village called Frome but when the bus arrived the driver stated he wasn’t going to go to Frome but in an hour he would be back and would go to Frome then?  Go figure.  I decide to postpone the trip until Friday and start early in the day.  I head back home to take the dogs for a run.

These guys are in the field across from the house.

On Friday I start my journey in the direction of Westbury.  Frome is on a different line.

I change trains at Westbury.

And arrive at Frome a short time later.  All in all it takes approx. half hour.

Frome was a centre for the cloth industry.  It was particularly famous for a blue fabric which was used for the uniforms of Napoleon’s Army.

Quite the display of hanging baskets on this hotel.

Market Place in the heart of town 

I start at the Black Swan where there is a visitor’s centre, cafe and art shop.  I get some information of the history and a map to follow.  After a coffee and a magnificent piece of cake I head off to discover the town.

This building was originally used for cattle auctions.

The river Frome runs through town.

Beautiful walks through the trees along the river.

One of the oldest public houses the Blue Boar.

Church of St. John

Just love the doors!

This is called Cheap Street.  Lots of shops but notice the break in the pavement under the sandwich signs?  This is what is referred to as a stream...there is fresh water running down this “ditch”.  I’m sure back in the day you dumped your waste in this opening and it was washed down to the river.

Catherine’s Hill.  More lovely shops.  Getting quite the work out walking through this town.

Cockey lamp post.  In the late 17th century a bell foundry was set up and this firm lasted 300 years.  In the early 19th century they branched into cast iron and were one of the leading producers of gas lamps.  This is an example of one of the lamps produced.

Christ Church

Currently the School of Dancing which was built in 1857 as the town’s police station

Trinity Church which was built in 1838 after Trinity Street was built between 1718 and 1722 to house the exploding population.  It was my last stop before heading back to Dilton Marsh.  Stopped at Mark’s and Spencer’s (love that store) for coffee (tired of drinking instant) and creme brûlée which is my favourite whenever in Europe.  After climbing all those hills I’m hoping I can accommodate a few calories!

First day in Dilton Marsh

Had a great sleep and hopefully an end to my jet lag.  The dogs are so good.  Not a peep out of them all night!

After having a light breakfast I set out to explore and see where I can catch the local bus and train.  It’s warm and windy today.  Lovely!

The road I am living on.

This is a great facility for children with disabilities. They have a little cafe and store.  Great place for a latte and also afternoon tea.  Today I had the latte...perhaps afternoon tea tomorrow!

Then I continue up the road...

Lovely old church..

If my hair needs a trim there’s a hairdresser...and also a highly recommended fish and chip store.  I’ll have to check that out for dinner one night.

And at the end of the road is the only pub called The Prince of Wales and I will be checking this out for a cold pint and some dinner..as per the sign they have a Sunday roast which is always good value.

I head toward Westbury to pick up a few groceries...



And then back home after getting some groceries from the local Tesco.  I took the dogs for their run and all went well!  They didn’t escape and we made it back home. Look at these two...aren’t they gorgeous?

Stay tuned to find out where I chose to dine out!

And I’m off on my next adventure...

It’s August 13th at 6 am when Sue picks me up to take me to the airport.  I love Vancouver Airport.  It really is a beautiful airport.

My flight is at 9 am.  I’m going via Montreal and flying Air Canada.  The plane is full and it’s 4 hours 45 mins. to Montreal.  I’ve got a 3 hour layover since the plane I’m taking to London was late arriving in Montreal.  Yuck! 

This  made me a little late arriving in London so I took the Heathrow Express from the airport to Piccadilly (25£) and then the tube to Waterloo Station where I caught my train to Westbury.  Didn’t want to spend the 25£ but with rush hour I would have missed the train to Westbury.  I’ll never take the tube during rush hour again especially with a suitcase.  We were all crammed in there and no one was too impressed with my large suitcase and back pack!  Not fun.

Anyhow I made it to Westbury and Tommy was waiting for me.  It’s a short drive to Dilton Marsh which is a cute village that needs to be explored.  That’s where Tommy, Abby and Heidi live with their two spaniels Tilley and Bilbo.  What a lovely family and home.  Tommy gives me a crash course on the dogs and house and then we take the dogs to a nearby field for a run off leash.  I’d better take lots of treats tomorrow whe I do this on my own so that the dogs don’t take off on me.

Tommy and Abby are ready to leave. They are going to Italy (Genoa) for a week with Abby’s parents.  Heidi is only 11 weeks old so having grandpa and grandma along will definitely give Tommy and Abby a break!

I’ve unpacked and am trying to stay awake.  I hate this and can’t wait until I can go to bed.  I’ll start exploring tomorrow.

The next chapter

I was informed that my work at Fraser Health has ended (at least for now).  I made the decision to give up my apartment and put my things in storage in order to finance my trip starting August 13th.  I hated to pay rent and have my apartment sit empty.  I lived amongst the boxes for the month of July.

My last day at work was August 10th and my fantastic coworkers took me out to lunch complete with a cake.

What a yummy salad!

What a great place to have worked.  Hopefully when I return home in December they will realize they can’t do without me and I can continue working there.

For now my good friend Marlene has invited me to stay at her home until I leave for London on August 13th.  And so the couch surfing starts!

Haney Heritage in Salmon Arm

After spending a week at Skaha Lake I went and spent a couple of days visiting my friend Anne Marie.  One day we went to see the Haney Heritage Park.  This is a work in progress and done by volunteers.  Anne Marie’s husband Herb had done work on this project.

It is a beautiful home and for the time in which it was built it was very luxurious.  Large rooms and indoor plumbing!

Music on the beach

Every year there are music concerts on the beach.

Jamie, Teenie and myself ‘curbside’

The joy on his face as we bumped our way back home

Daniel Wesley tuning up with his son

Got to have those mini donuts

A pretty good crowd.

What a great time getting back and forth on the Trolley!

Skaha Lake

It’s that time of year again. This is the third year we have gone to the cabin on Skaha Lake. It’s a tradition now.  We still need to get the rest of the family up here. 

Mike with Jamie and his friend Meredith.

Ahhhh....time to relax  

Mike with Jamie and Megan with Meredith

Time for a snooze!

And always a trip to Tickleberry’s in Okanagan-Similkameen Falls for ice cream. 


Sometimes the smoke from forest fires would roll in but then luckily it would blowout too

Mike and mom

Teenie and Mike having a lunch date at Lake Breeze Winery. 

Dad and Jamie time.